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Liberal Dems In UK Vote Yes For TS Certificates
Contributed by Elizabeth Parker and Rachelle Austin
via PA News
September 24, 1998
Britain's #3 party, the Liberal Democrats, have become the first party in the nation to call for new birth certificates following sex reassignment surgery. Britain is the only European Union nation now refusing to issue revised birth certificates,
A transsexual made an emotional plea at the Liberal Democrat conference
for new legal rights to help end discrimination. Anna Boyer, from
West Yorkshire, won an ovation after speaking of the problems
encountered by transsexuals who cannot have their gender changed on
their birth certificates. Ms Boyer, who made the medical transition
from being male to female at the end of last year, gained conference
backing for a call to bring in new legislation permitting the
certificates to be changed. In her speech, she asked party activists to
imagine a country where the birth certificate did not correspond with
the gender of its owner. Insurance companies, employers and pension
providers all used the certificate as proof of identity, age and gender
- despite any physical evidence to the contrary. "Imagine a country
where that contradiction can cost you a job, a mortgage on your house,
higher purchase credit or a decent pension in retirement," she said. "I
don't have to imagine that country. I live in it here and now." Ms
Boyer, who works for the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors
and is in her mid-30s, said that if other records like health
certificates could be changed, why could the Government not finish the
job and amend birth certificates as well.
"If this Government believes
its own manifesto it will end the unjustifiable discrimination which
exists and allow birth certificates to be changed." Urging party
supporters to help end the "iniquities" of the present situation, she
said: "This would be a significant step forward for the civil rights of
transsexual people."
She declared: "Today, with your help, we will be
the first political party in this country to establish a clear,
unequivocal policy to grant transsexual people their full civil
rights." Jackie Ballard, MP for Taunton, backing the move, said it was
not a "life choice" to be a transsexual but seemed to stem from
hormonal imbalance in the developing foetus. Transsexuals should be
granted the same civil rights as other people for their changed status.
The amendment, urging that the civil rights of transsexual people are
"fully protected" in UK law and calling for a new law to permit changed
birth certificates, was carried overwhelmingly on a show of hands.
After the vote, Ms Boyer said she was "pleased and delighted" by the
result.
Queer Theories Conference Announced
Contributed by Reno Dana
September 22, 1998
The Queer Theories conference is to be held on October 10 - 11 at the
University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). This is the first conference of its
kind in Nevada; it is truly a pioneering venture, which is highlighted by
the support and presence of the State of Nevada Attorney General, Frankie
Sue Del Papa, UNR's President, along with nationally recognized speakers
and researchers on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender issues.
The conference is open to the public and 100% free--there are not any
admission or registration fees.
To register for the conference, or for more information, please contact
kendall@unr.edu or visit the following web site:
http://www.unr.edu/gsa/Qtheories
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